unfixv.
/(ˌ)ʌnˈfɪks/, U.S. /ˌənˈfɪks/ 1.
a. transitive. To undo from a fixed state or position; to unfasten, loosen.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > unfix
unloose?a1425
unfix1600
unmounta1680
strike1793
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or detachment > loosening or unfastening > loosen, unfasten, or untie [verb (transitive)] > loosen or weaken the attachment of
unfastena1250
unlacec1330
loosec1400
solvec1450
unsettle1598
unfix1600
uncement1639
discardinate1648
loosen1667
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iv. i. 206 Plucking to vnfix an enemy, He doth vnfasten so, and shake a friend. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) i. iii. 134 That suggestion, Whose horrid Image doth vnfixe my Heire. View more context for this quotation
1775 J. Ash New Dict. Eng. Lang. Unfix,..to loosen, to make less fast.
1804 J. Grahame Sabbath 554 Storms that loudly threaten to unfix Islands.
1854 H. Miller My Schools & Schoolmasters (1858) 438 Unfixing the haulser from the stem, and bringing it aft to the stern, we commenced hauling.
b. spec. in military use.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > cut of sharp weapon > use of knives > stab with knife [verb (transitive)] > undo (bayonet) from fixed position
unfix1802
1802 C. James New Mil. Dict. To unfix, in a military sense, to take off, as Unfix Bayonet, on which the soldier disengages the bayonet from his piece, and returns it to the scabbard.
1813 Examiner 10 May 303/2 Two men lost their bayonets, whilst in the act of unfixing them.
1859 F. A. Griffiths Artillerist's Man. (1862) 13 Unfix Swords (or bayonets).
2. figurative. To unsettle; to render uncertain or doubtful.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > doubt [verb (transitive)] > cause doubt
branglea1600
forgive1600
stumble1607
uncertain1614
uncredit1615
disconceita1639
scruple1638
startle1643
stagger1646
unfix1650
inscruple1663
unhinge1719
unconvince1815
unsettle1833
to keep (a person) guessing1896
1650 R. Stapleton tr. F. Strada De Bello Belgico i. 6 Neither gold,..nor the noise of War,..could any way unfix his mind.
1663 J. Spencer Disc. Prodigies (1665) 211 Now one Negative instance will appear..of far more force to unfix a pretending Rule, then two Affirmative to establish it.
1802 W. Paley Nat. Theol. xxvi, in Wks. (1834) 548/2 By unfixing those motives which promote exertion, or by relaxing those habits which engender patient industry.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. viii. 322 The shock which had overturned his early prejudices had at the same time unfixed all his opinions.
3. intransitive. To become unfixed; to lose fixity.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > become displaced [verb (intransitive)]
unset1703
unfix1844
shunt1850
1844 T. Hood Forge ii. 417 But the ruthless talons refuse to unfix.
1863 C. Reade Hard Cash II. 57 As the blood escaped, his eye unfixed, and the pupils contracted and dilated.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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